Convertible sofa-bunk



are}! 1967 M. E. GRIFFIN CQNVERTIBLE SOFA-BUNK 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJuly 6, 1966 m wl MICKEY E. GRIFFIN INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Mamh 1967 M. E. GRIFFIN 331%,815

CONVERTIBLE SOFA-BUNK Filed July 6, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 N MICKEY E.GRIFFIN INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS March 2%, N67 M. E. GRIFFIN CONVERTIBLE SOFA-BUNK Filed July6, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG 5 MICKEY E. GRIFFIN INVENTOR Q M 8MATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,310,815 CONVERTIBLE SOFA-BUNK Mickey E.Griffin, 16430 NE. 29th, Bellevue, Wash. 98004 Filed July 6, 1966, Ser.No. 563,231 12 Claims. (Cl. 59)

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a convertiblesofa and bunk bed, and more particularly to a sofa having the appearanceand size of a conventional item of furniture but which is convertibleinto a bed arrangement for sleeping either two or three people.

Those skilled in the art are aware of the popularity of sofas which canbe used during the daytime as decorative furniture and which may beconverted at nights into beds. Such convertible sofas are particularlyuseful where floor space is at a premium such as in house trailers,public accommodations, cottages, cabins, apartments, boats, and smallerhomes. An extremely desirable feature of such expandable or convertiblesofa beds is that after the sofa has been folded out for sleeping itoccupies as little additional floor space as possible. Currently wellknown convertible structures approximately double floor spacerequirements when they are converted to beds. Other drawbacks toheretofore known sofa bunks or sofa beds are their high cost ofproduction steming primarily from complex and costly mechanisms, heavyweight, and involved operation. Furthermore, the mechanisms or fixturesupon which convertibility is based are not confinable within the lowprofile configuration and dimensions of modern sofas. Therefore, theknown convertible furniture items present rather ungainly and awkwardappearances.

The instant invention overcomes the deficiencies and inherentdisadvantages of currently known sofa bunks or beds by incorporation ofa uniquely simple fixture which allows the seat of the sofa to expandinto an area large enough to sleep two people while at the same time aback portion of the sofa swings upwardly to provide a top bunk sleepingsurface for a third person. Each arm of the sofa has a permanent seatand back frame upon which is supported a movable or slidable seat frame.The seat frame slides outwardly to overhang the front of the sofa sothat the seat cushions may be placed beside the movable seat frame onthe permanent frame structure thereby to provide a double sleepingspace. The back cushion of the sofa is attached to a pivotal berth frameswinging upwardly from the rear of the sofa. The berth is supported in ahorizontal bunk position by arm means pivotally secured to the lowerpart of the permanent frame. It will be appreciated that the mechanismor fixture involved enables the parts thereof to fold downwardly into anarrow space between the arms and movable seat and cushions. Thus, theconversion components of the mechanism or fixture are hidden so that thesofa appears attractive to the eye.

Accordingly, it is among the many features of this invention to providea convertible sofa and bunk type bed mechanism or fixture which issimple in design, rugged in construction, economical to produce, andreliable and simple in operation.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a sofa and bunk type bedconverting mechanism or fixture which allows expansion of the sofa intoa sleeping arrangement for two or three persons while still confiningthe operating mechanism to the dimensions and configurations of amodern, low-profile item of furniture.

Still another feature of this invention is to furnish a sofa and bunktype bed conversion mechanism or fixture which allows the sofa to occupya minimum amount of additional floor space when expanded or folded intoa sleeping arrangement.

Yet another feature of this invention is to supply a sofa and bunk typebed conversion mechanism or fixture which allows for sufficient distancebetween the lower and the upper berths to permit either an adult or achild to sleep comfortable in the lower berth.

Yet another feature of this invention is to provide a sofa and bunk typebed conversion mechanism or fixture which supports the upper bunkrigidly so that it will not wobble or sway and with enough strength sothat an adult may sleep confidently in the upper bunk.

A further feature of this invention is to supply a sofa and bunk typebed conversion mechanism or fixture having a minimum number of movingparts and which because of its unique design eliminates swaying of theupper bunk.

These together with other objects, features, and advantages which willbecome subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a. sofa and bunk type bed whichincorporates this invention and in which the invention is folded intothe sofa position;

FIG. 2 is a cross section view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1 andshowing in greater detail the parts of this invention in the sofaposition;

FIG. 3 is the sofa of FIG. 1 folded out so as to present sleepingsurfaces for three persons and in which the lower surface has a doublesleeping space and the upper bunk or berth has sleeping space for oneperson;

FIG. 4 is a cross section view along the line 44 of FIG. 3 and showingin detail the elements of the invention in the bed or bunk position;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross section view in elevation taken along the line5-5 of FIG. 2 and showing the parts of the invention as they wouldappear from the front of the so a.

Referring now to the drawings it will be seen that the sofa has arms 12and 14, a back 16, a permanent seat portion 18, a movable seat framestructure 20, back rest and bunk portion 22, and seat cushions 24. Thesofa is also provided with front legs 26 and rear legs 28. The armstructure at each end of the sofa has permanent seat horizontal framemember 30 and connected to the rear end thereof is generally upwardlyextending back frame member 32 which angles backwardly from bottom totop. The two arms of the sofa are interconnected by front mainlongitudinal frame member 34, rear main longitudinal frame member 36,and top main longitudinal frame member 38. The specific configuration ofthe arms is not essential to an understanding of this invention sincesofa frames will have a wide variety of arm structures, configurations,and locations for and arrangement of interconnecting or longitudinalframe members. Since a sofa arm structure will have a generallyhorizontally disposed frame element, frame member 30 may be employed tosupport portions of the invention as will now be described.

A slidable seat frame, generally designated by the number 20, is agenerally rectangular structure having end members or plates 40 whichare generally elongated, flat, rectangular, metallic bar means. The endsof plates 40 are bent inwardly to form anchoring brackets. The outerends of members 40 have anchoring brackets 42 while the inner ends haveanchoring brackets 44. Movable seat structure 20 has back frame members46 attached to the brackets 44 and an outer longitudinal frame member 48attached to outer brackets 42. Conventional securing means such as bolts50 are employed to secure the longitudinals 46 and 48 to the end plates40. It will be appreciated that front to rear frame members (not shown)may extend between main frame longitudinals 34 and 36 at a series ofintermediate locations spaced inwardly from members 30 so that movableseat portion 20 is adequately supported. While it has not been shownthere may also be interconnecting frame members between thelongitudinals 46 and 48 of movable seat 20 to add rigidity thereto.However, it should be kept in mind that basically the entire interiorportion of the rectangular movable seat portion will be furnished with amattress or padding material such as foam rubber or springs, in order toprovide a comfortable sleeping surface. Thus any rigidizing,intermediate frame members for movable seat portion 20 would preferablybe disposed generally coplanar with the bottom surface of said movableframe as it rests on the lower permanent frame structure. End plates 40as can be seen by reference to the drawings are provided with agenerally horizontally disposed elongated slot 52 which is locatedinwardly of the front to rear center line of plate 40. Said slot 52 ispositioned off center towards the bottom edge of said end plate 40. Itwill also be noted that end plate 40 is provided on the outside surfacethereof with a guide pin 54 located in spaced relation to bracket 44thereof and slightly rearwardly of the innermost end of slot 52 near theupper edge.

Fitted to the lower main frame member 30 is an arm support bracketnumbered generally as 56. Bracket 56 for the purpose of lendingadditional support to elements of the conversion fixture is a fiatbracket means preferably of plate or sheet metal or the like. The upperedge of bracket 56 extends outwardly generally horizontally in the formof a short leg 58 to override the upper edge of main frame member 30.Bracket 56 is essentially vertically disposed on the inside surface ofsaid main frame member 30 and is attached thereto as by a bolt or bolts60. The bracket is somewhat shorter in length than end plate 40 andbeing attached to main frame member 30 is located below and in spacedrelation to the plane of the outer surface of said end plate 40. Thuswith specific reference being had to FIG. 5, it will be understood thatsuflicient distance is allowed between bracket 56 and end plate 40 topermit other elements of the fixture or apparatus to extend upwardlyunobstructedly therebetween.

Two elements are pivotally mounted on bracket 56. One is a pivotal seatframe guide bar 62 which is a generally rectangular strap. At the lowerend of guide bar 62 is a short mounting leg 64. The main body of guide62 is spaced from bracket 56 by a spacing or offset leg 66. Mounting leg64 is pivotally secured to bracket 56 as by bolt 68 or otherconventional means. The upper end of guide 62 extends upwardly along theouter surface of end plate 40. At the upper end of guide 62 is affixed aguide pin 70 which extends through slot 52 in plate 40. The dimensionsof guide bar 62 and slot 52 in end plate 40 determine or limit thedistance which seat portion 20 will move outwardly from its sofaposition as shown in FIG. 2 to its bunk or berth position shown in FIG.4. It can be seen that guide bar 62 is pivotally mounted outwardly ofthe front-to-rear center line of bracket 56 and that the pivot 68 islocated near the lower edge of the said bracket.

Also pivotally supported at the upper, outer corner of bracket 56 is anupper berth support arm generally designated by the number 72. Arm 72pivots as at point 74 and is an elongated rigid bar member which ispreferably curved or angled forwardly approximately 30 degrees at apoint about one-third the distance down from its upper end. Arm 72 byvirtue of its angle has an upper arm portion 74 and a longer lower armportion 76 with the upper portion 74 angling forwardly in the mannershown. At a predetermined distance above pivot point 74 on the forwardedge of arm 72 is located a notch 80 which receives pin 54 attached toend plate 40 when the movable seat portion 20 is in its berth positionas shown in FIG. 4. Also attached to the forward or outer edge of arm 72is a generally triangular pin guide 82 having a lower guide edge orsurface 84 which is generally aligned with the upper edge of notch 80.Said triangular guide also has a rearwardly extending upper edge 86extending to the arm. Guide edge or surface 84 meets the forward edge ofarm 72 preferably at an angle of slightly less than 90 degrees. The arm72 is preferably curved as shown but could be straight if desired.However, the angled or curved feature has been found to contribute avery desirable stability Which a straight arm does not have. A pin 88 onbracket 56 acts as a stop or rest means for preventing arm 72. fromdropping too low.

Top main longitudinal 38 on the sofa has hingedly attached thereto acombination sofa back and upper berth frame means generally designatedby the number 22. The upper berth consists of a generally rectangularframe having back frame member 92, forward longitudinal frame member 94and end frame members 96. Appropriate intermediate framing or springstructure may be incorporated within the confines of the frame means 22.Each of the end frame members 96 is provided with an elongated slot 98to receive arm pin 100 located at the upper end of arm 72. In additionand at its outer end elongated slot 98 is upwardly formed a shortdistance to provide a locking notch 102 so that when the combinationsofa back and upper berth structure 22 is in the bunk position pin 100will lodge in notch 102 and hold securely.

It will be appreciated that arm 72, guide bar 62 and stop pin 88 couldbe mounted directly on frame member 30. However, it has been found moreadvantageous to use a metal bracket plate 56 for greater strength andreliability. In the event that only a two place sleeping arrangementwere desired the swingable sofa back and berth frame 22 could beeliminated. It would then be necessary only to cut off arm 72 abovenotch 80 so that the hold down feature for seat 20 would still bepresent. Hence, it will be understood that notch 80 in arm 72 or in ashorter member serves the primary function of lending stability tomovable seat portion 20. Cushions 24 when the sofa is used for sleepingare placed on the permanent frame as shown in FIG. 3 next to seat orberth 20.

In order to convert the sofa of FIG. 2 into the three place sleepingbunk arrangement of FIG. 4 it is only necessary that the user reacharound one end of movable seat portion 20 and press upwardly on thespring retainer 104, shown in FIG. 2. At the same time seat portion 20is lifted and pulled forwardly until guide 62 has pivoted and pin 70thereon has transversed the length of slot 52. The movable seat portion20 has then become one of two sleeping spaces on the bottom of the sofa.Next, U-shaped cushion holding bar 106 is grasped and the combinationsofa back and upper berth 22 is swung upwardly about hinges 108 whichare secured to the top main longitudinal 38 and to the back frame member92. When upper berth 22 has been lifted to the horizontal position, pin100 on arm 72 will lodge in notch 102 and the upper berth will be inposition. As arm 72 is swinging upwardly from its lower position, lowersurface or edge 84 of the pin guide 82 on the arm will contact pin 54 onend plate 40. When the arm has reached its fully extended position pin54 will have engaged edge '84 and lodged in notch 80 of the arm. Thus,the movable seat portion 20 is very firmly held in place both by guidebar 62 and the retainer notch 80 in arm 72.

The foregoing is considered to be illustrative only of the principles ofthis invention. Numerous modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art and hence it is not desired to limit the invention tothe exact construction shown and described. Accordingly all suitablemodifications and equivalents may be resorted to which fall within thescope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a convertible sofa bed in which said sofa has arm structuresinterconnected by main longitudinal frame members defining permanentseat and back frame means, said sofa bed including a generallyrectangularly shaped movable seat frame adapted to be supported on saidpermanent seat frame, the improvements at each end of said sofa bedcomprising: (a) an end member at the end of said movable seat frameincluding first movement restriction means thereon and also including onthe outside surface thereof a holding pin means, (b) permanent supportmeans located below and spaced outwardly from said end member to definea relatively narrow and unobstructed operating space therebetween, (c)second movement restriction means mounted on said permanent supportmeans coacting with said first movement restriction means to restrictmovement of said movable seat frame, ((1) an elongated arm meanspivotally mounted on said permanent support means and including aholding notch means in the forward edge thereof at a predetermineddistance above its pivot mounting for engaging said holding pin meanswhen said arm is swung to an upwardly extended position, and (e)generally rectangular upper berth frame means hingedly attached to thepermanent back frame and having an elongated arm slot in the end membersthereof to receive a locking pin means located at the upper end of saidarm means.

2. The convertible sofa bed of claim 1 and in which said first movementrestriction means is a generally horizontally disposed elongated guideslot.

3. The convertible sofa bed of claim 2 and in which second movementrestriction means is a generally rectangular pivoted guide bar meanshaving a guide pin thereon received in said guide slot.

4. The convertible sofa bed of claim 1 and in which said arm means hason the forward edge thereof a generally outwardly extending guide edgefor directing said holding pin into said holding notch.

5. In a convertible sofa bed in which said sofa has arm structuresinterconnected by main longitudinal frame members defining permanentseat and back frame means, said sofa bed including a generallyrectangularly shaped movable seat frame adapted to be supported on saidpermanent seat frame, the improvements at each end of said sofa bedcomprising: (a) an end member at the end of said movable seat frame,said end member having a generally horizontally disposed elongated guideslot means therein, said end member also having on the outside surfacethereof a holding pin means located in spaced relation to said guideslot, (b) permanent support means located below and spaced outwardlyfrom said end member to define a relatively narrow and unobstructedoperating space therebetween, (c) guide bar means pivotally mounted onsaid permanent support means and having guide pin means thereon receivedin said guide slot to restrict movement of said movable seat frame, (d)an elongated arm means also pivotally mounted on said permanent supportmeans and including a holding notch means in the forward edge thereof ata predetermined distance above its pivot mounting for engaging saidholding pin means when said arm is swung to an upwardly extendedposition, and (e) generally rectangular upper berth frame means hingedlyattached to the permanent back frame and having an elongated arm slot inthe end members thereof to receive a locking pin means located at theupper end of said arm means.

6. The convertible sofa bed of claim 5 and in which said guide slot insaid end member is located generally rearwardly of the front-to-rearcenter line thereof.

7. The convertible sofa bed of claim 5 and in which said holding pinmeans on said end member is located above and rearwardly of said guideslot.

8. The convertible sofa bed of claim 5 and in which said arm slotincludes at the outer end thereof a locking notch for holding saidlocking pin and thereby locking said upper berth frame in its berthposition.

9. The convertible sofa bed of claim 5 and in which said arm means hason the forward edge thereof a generally outwardly extending guide edgefor directing said holding pin into said holding notch.

19. In a convertible sofa bed in which said sofa has arm structuresinterconnected by main longitudinal frame members defining permanentseat and back frame means, said sofa bed, including: (a) a generallyrectangularly shaped and generally horizontally movable seat frameadapted to be supported on said permanent seat frame and slidableoutwardly to a berth position so as partially to overhang said permanentseat frame to thereby define essentially two sleeping places on saidpermanent seat frame, (b) permanent support means attached to saidpermanent seat frame below and spaced outwardly from said movable seatframe to define a relatively narrow and unobstructed operating spacetherebetween, (c) an elongated arm means pivotally mounted on saidpermanent support means Within said operating space, ((1) gen erallyrectangular upper berth frame means hingedly attached to the permanentback frame and having an elongated arm slot in the end members thereofto receive a locking pin means located at the upper end of said armmeans, and (e) means for restricting outward movement of and for rigidlysecuring that portion of said movable seat frame that overlies saidpermanent frame. i

11. The convertible sofa bed of claim 10 and in which said arm meansswings from a down position between said arm structure and said movableseat frame to a generally upright generally horizontal position.

12. In a convertible sofa bed in which said sofa has arm structuresinterconnected by main longitudinal frame members defining permanentseat and back frame means, said sofa bed including: (a) generallyrectangularly shaped generally horizontally movable seat fraine adaptedto be supported on said permanent seat frame, so that when said movableseat frame is moved outwardly, area for sleeping two persons isprovided, (b) an end member at the end of said movable seat frame, saidend member having a generally horizontally disposed elongated slot meanstherein, said end member also including on the outside surface thereof aholding pin means, ((5) per manent support means attached to saidpermanent seat frame below and spaced outwardly from said end member todefine a relatively narrow and unobstructed operating spacetherebetween, ((1) guide bar means pivotally mounted on said permanentsupport means and having guide pin means thereon received in said slotmeans to restrict movement of said movable seat frame, and (e) a seatframe arm retaining means also pivotally mounted on said permanentsupport means and including a holding notch means in the forward edgethereof at a predetermined distance above its pivot mounting forengaging said holding pin means when said arm retaining means is swungto an upwardly extended seat frame retaining position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,891,255 6/1959Simmons 5-12X 3,027,571 4/1962 Bendixen et a1. 5-59 3,092,846 6/1963Biby 518 3,191,194 6/1965 Gritfin 5-9 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner;

CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Examiner;

position for holding said upper berth frame in a

1. IN A CONVERTIBLE SOFA BED IN WHICH SAID SOFA HAS ARM STRUCTURESINTERCONNECTED BY MAIN LONGITUDINAL FRAME MEMBERS DEFINING PERMANENTSEAT AND BACK FRAME MEANS, SAID SOFA BED INCLUDING A GENERALLYRECTANGULARLY SHAPED MOVABLE SEAT FRAME ADAPTED TO BE SUPPORTED ON SAIDPERMANENT SEAT FRAME, THE IMPROVEMENTS AT EACH END OF SAID SOFA BEDCOMPRISING: (A) AN END MEMBER AT THE END OF SAID MOVABLE SEAT FRAMEINCLUDING FIRST MOVEMENT RESTRICTION MEANS THEREON AND ALSO INCLUDING ONTHE OUTSIDE SURFACE THEREOF A HOLDING PIN MEANS, (B) PERMANENT SUPPORTMEANS LOCATED BELOW AND SPACED OUTWARDLY FROM SAID END MEMBER TO DEFINEA RELATIVELY NARROW AND UNOBSTRUCTED OPERATING SPACE THEREBETWEEN, (C)SECOND MOVEMENT RESTRICTION MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID PERMANENT SUPPORTMEANS COACTING WITH SAID FIRST MOVEMENT RESTRICTION MEANS TO RESTRICTMOVEMENT OF SAID MOVABLE SEAT FRAME, (D) AN ELONGATED ARM MEANSPIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID PERMANENT SUPPORT MEANS AND INCLUDING AHOLDING NOTCH MEANS IN THE FORWARD EDGE THEREOF AT A PREDETERMINEDDISTANCE ABOVE ITS PIVOT MOUNTING FOR ENGAGING SAID HOLDING PIN MEANSWHEN SAID ARM IS SWUNG TO AN UPWARDLY EXTENDED POSITION, AND (E)GENERALLY RECTANGULAR UPPER BERTH FRAME MEANS HINGEDLY ATTACHED TO THEPERMANENT BACK FRAME AND HAVING AN ELONGATED ARM SLOT IN THE END MEMBERSTHEREOF TO RECEIVE A LOCKING PIN MEANS LOCATED AT THE UPPER END OF SAIDARM MEANS.